Far too often, children around the globe rely on their school to feed them, going home in the afternoons and on weekends to little or no food. This year, TIA is excited to partner with Kids Feeding Kids to help assuage this need.
Target Community: Reynosa
The specific community that TIA plans to target is Reynosa, a border city in Tamaulipas (the Mexican state that borders the southern tip of Texas). One of the five fastest growing cities in Mexico, Reynosa is largely characterized by extreme poverty.Walkathon to Raise Money
On Friday May 18, three TIA campuses joined together at Joaquin Murietta Park for a Walkathon. Students walked laps and participated in various field activities which provided an opportunity to exercise their bodies as well as their sense of compassion. In the past, funds from an annual walkathon have been used to purchase school supplies or P.E. equipment. But this year, when Fred Collum - Senior Organizer for Kids Feeding Kids- asked TIA to participate, TIA was compelled. “We felt the necessity to do something like this. So we set a goal to reach $400 by the end of the year,” says Mr. Montemayor. To reach this goal, each student was asked to pledge $5, either from their own money or from sponsors. Mr. Montemayor of the West campus, says that “What we’re trying to teach is that we are a community. As a community we need to help others out. It doesn’t matter if it’s by reaching out asking for help, or if it’s coming from our own pocket.”Student Donations
Already, there is evidence that the students have learned this lesson and are well on their way to reaching the goal. Even before the walkathon, $250 had been collected in the donation jar next to the snack bar, where students can donate in lieu of buying candy. “Each year, students spend an average of $1000 on snacks - so to get a quarter of it donated instead of spent on themselves, I think is a pretty good turnout,” says Montemayor. Whether it’s forgoing a snack or walking a lap, TIA students are demonstrating a willingness to sacrifice for their community. From Tucson, Arizona to Reynosa, Tamaulipas, kids are feeding kids.